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July 28, 2020

2020 Emmys: Billy Porter, Dan Levy, Shira Haas and more react to their nominations

WATCH: ABC News Live Update: 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards nominations

With the 2020 Emmy nominations now officially out, TV's biggest stars are reacting -- some even for the first time.

Emmys 2020: See the full list of nominees

Leslie Jones announced the nominations via livestream Tuesday morning with Laverne Cox, Josh Gad and Tatiana Maslany.

Editor's Picks

It was a good day for "Watchmen," with the series taking the top spot with 26 nominations. It was followed by "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" with 20 and then "Ozark" and "Succession" both with 18. "The Mandalorian," "Saturday Night Live" and "Schitt's Creek" all had 15 apiece while "The Crown" snagged 13.

MORE: Biggest 2020 Emmy nominations snubs and surprises: Zendaya, Bob Odenkirk, 'Big Little Lies'

This year's awards show will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. The comedian has hosted the ceremony twice before, in 2012 and 2016.

The 2020 Emmy Awards will take place on Sunday, Sept. 20, and will air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

MORE: Jimmy Kimmel to host 2020 Emmys

Check out how some of the stars celebrated their recognition from the Television Academy:

"Queer Eye"

Jonathan Van Ness shared a screenshot of himself trying to FaceTime his fellow "Queer Eye" hosts, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France and Antoni Porowski.

"Y’all answer your phone!! We’re Emmy nominees," he wrote, later sharing that they answered the call.

Y’all answer your phone!! We’re Emmy nominees 😭😭😭 @QueerEye pic.twitter.com/jMzcgGFHLz

— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) July 28, 2020

They answered 🏳️‍🌈💗 Emmy Nominated Hosts 😭👯 pic.twitter.com/0hlz3yncvx

— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) July 28, 2020

JVN's co-hosts also shared their own reactions.

View this post on Instagram

Tag yourself I’m tanny w mouth agape as we just found out Queer Eye is nominated for seven Emmys including, for the first time, Outstanding Host(s). Congratulations to every person who has helped bring this show and the human stories we tell to screens worldwide. I am grateful beyond words. 🏳️‍🌈❤️

A post shared by Antoni Porowski (@antoni) on

View this post on Instagram

I’m in tears! 😭😭😭 7 Emmy Nominations including OUR FIRST for outstanding host?!?! The ride I’ve had with these boys and our amazing team doesn’t even seem real. I love you all so much!!! And to our fans.... thank you for loving us and changing our lives. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ #queereye #emmy

A post shared by Bobby Berk (@bobby) on

View this post on Instagram

7 EMMY NOMINATIONS for Queer Eye....including best Hosts. HOLY SHIT. To the votes, crew and fellow cast....a HUGE congrats!! 🕺🏽❤️🕺🏽❤️

A post shared by T A N . F R A N C E (@tanfrance) on

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Omg! @queereye was nominated for 7 Emmys!!!! And one of those is for Outstanding Host!!! We (Fab 5) have never been nominated as host!!! Congrats to the crew, the executives, and to my brothers!!! So humbled & thankful! We did it! Emmy Nominated Host!!!!!!!!!!!!

A post shared by Karamo (@karamo) on

Billy Porter

Billy Porter said he was "grateful" to have been nominated for "Pose" in the lead actor in a drama series category. "It’s blessing and a gift to be part of this moment where my art and my activism meet," he added in a statement. "POSE represents hope and is a reminder of how powerful ‘we-the-people’ are!"

#Grateful @MrRPMurphy @PoseOnFX #PrayTell #Emmy @TelevisionAcad 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/bv0XdfeXls

— Billy Porter (@theebillyporter) July 28, 2020

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo said he had "enormous gratitude" for being nominated for "I Know This Much Is True" and acknowledged its writer and director, Derek Cianfrance, for creating a project "that will stand the test of time."

Although this Emmy nomination comes with enormous gratitude, it would be disingenuous of me to say that it isn’t bittersweet. I am nothing in #IKnowThisMuchIsTrue without Derek Cianfrance who has made a piece of work that will stand the test of time...#Emmys pic.twitter.com/PSnTf9yB05

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) July 28, 2020

Robin Thede

Robin Thede congratulated her fellow "A Black Lady Sketch Show" stars for the show's three nominations. "LOOK WHAT BLACK WOMEN DID!" she exclaimed.

LOOK WHAT BLACK WOMEN DID! 3 EMMY NOMINATIONS for @BlackLadySketch! Thank you to my genius writers, incredible cast @ashleyn1cole @quintabrunson @GabrielleDennis & stellar crew! And @ImAngelaBassett!!! And @dimedavis is an Emmy nominee for directing! History in the making! #ABLSS pic.twitter.com/r3vP4b4gaC

— Robin Thede (@robinthede) July 28, 2020

Dan Levy

"Schitt's Creek" star Dan Levy was left "speechless" by all the love.

for once I am speechless. 🥺 https://t.co/OIivtk9qPO

— dan levy (@danjlevy) July 28, 2020

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown celebrated the Television Academy for nominating him twice -- once for "This Is Us" and once for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" -- by saying it's "2 Good to be True!"

2 Good to be True! Thank you to the @TelevisionAcad for a great start to my day! 😊 Blessed to still be representing my #ThisIsUs fam (Love you all!) & overjoyed to be recognized for the immense fun I had with @AlexBorstein & @RachelBros on #MrsMaisel Stay safe. Stay sane. #BLM✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/kmWkNGhn9U

— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) July 28, 2020

RuPaul Charles

RuPaul Charles, host of "RuPaul's Drag Race," reacted to his show being nominated for five consecutive years, saying, "Thank you Television Academy. I am humbled and grateful to work with the best queens, cast, and crew in television. In the face of a global pandemic, they persevered to complete this exceptional season with style, innovation and grace. Hearing how our show continues to bring joy and light to so many during this dark time has been the greatest gift of all. Together with World of Wonder and VH1, I dedicate these nominations to anyone who has been told you’re too queer, too black, or too different to achieve your dreams."

William Jackson Harper

William Jackson Harper reacted to being nominated for "The Good Place" by sharing a video captioned "WHAT!?" In it he simply said, "It's been quite a morning."

View this post on Instagram

WHAT!?

A post shared by William Jackson Harper (@williamjacksonharper) on

Amit Rahav and Shira Haas

"Unorthodox" star Amit Rahav shared a video of himself and co-star Shira Haas reacting to the nominations. Haas was also nominated individually, too.

View this post on Instagram

#Unorthodox just got 8 nominations for the Emmys including Best limited series! So proud of all of the people who took part in this amazing project. Couldn’t be happier!!!!!!!! 😭😩🤪🥰😍😃😄😁😆😂🤣😱💜🚨💓🥰💙💕💘💜💚💙🧡❤️🧿

A post shared by Amit Rahav (@amitrahav8) on

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley reacted to being nominated for "The Handmaid's Tale," writing: "With so many crazy things happening in the world, this was such a joy to wake up to. Thank you."

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With so many crazy things happening in the world, this was such a joy to wake up to. Thank you. #repost @handmaidsonhulu ・・・ She is who she is. Congratulations to @whododatlikedat for her Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Moira! #HandmaidsTale #Emmys

A post shared by Samira Wiley (@whododatlikedat) on

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle offered up a simple "thanks, y'all" after being nominated for "Black Monday."

thanks, y'all!! https://t.co/H3FIETBn5U

— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) July 28, 2020

Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt said he was "blown away" to be nominated among "purely creative, brilliant, game-changing minds" and joked about what he will wear for a potentially virtual ceremony.

Just blown away by this honor. What a group of purely creative, brilliant, game-changing minds to be associated with. Off to buy a tuxedo shirt, jacket, and really nice pair of shorts and flip-flops. #Emmys pic.twitter.com/iOL63Z7B3l

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) July 28, 2020

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II penned a heartfelt note in which he thanked the Television Academy as well as the cast, crew and fans of "Watchmen."

EMMY NOMINATED!!!! pic.twitter.com/CFipWYmSPC

— Yahya Abdul-Mateen 2 (@yahya) July 28, 2020

Yvonne Orji

Yvonne Orji reacted to her first-ever Emmy nomination by joking about the storyline featured on the most recent season of "Insecure."

"I know Molly stressed y’all THE heck OUT this season, but shout out to all of you for riding with @insecurehbo and for VOTING!! We IN HERE!" she tweeted.

I know Molly stressed y’all THE heck OUT this season, but shout out to all of you for riding with @insecurehbo and for VOTING!! We IN HERE! And it’s even sweeter when the WHOLE SQUAD THRIVIN TOO! 👏🏾👏🏾 to @IssaRae on her Emmy nod, the entire show, AND @BlackLadySketch!

— Yvonne Orji (@YvonneOrji) July 28, 2020

Rachel Brosnahan

Rachel Brosnahan reacted to her Emmy nomination for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," which she won for in 2018, by saying, "Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it."

Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it. I am so proud to be a part of this talented family. And the company we get to keep in these categories is bananas. Thank you @TelevisionAcad for the wind in our sails until we can squeeze each other in person. ✨ pic.twitter.com/BbtE1HSQX7

— Rachel Brosnahan (@RachelBros) July 28, 2020

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman, nominated for his role in "Bad Education," shared a photo of him in character as he reacted to the news.

View this post on Instagram

Congrats to the cast and crew of Bad Education on our Emmy Award nominations. Thank you to the Television Academy and the amazing folks at @hbo. #badeducation #emmyawards

A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on

Randy Rainbow

Internet sensation Randy Rainbow reacted to finding himself nominated for his YouTube series again.

Holy crap! I’m a two-time Emmy-nominated person! Very proud to be in the company of these icons. Thank you, @TelevisionAcad. 🙌🏻🤩♥️🙏🏻😭😭😭😭 #Emmys pic.twitter.com/iLH5vbv1F1

— Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) July 28, 2020

Shangela

Drag queen icon Shangela reacted in the most hilarious way possible to "We're Here" getting nominated for an Emmy.

OMG!!! This is what they mean when they say “it’s an honor just to be nominated.” IT REALLY IS!!! 🍾🥳😝 https://t.co/92pfYboMVv

— Shangela (@itsSHANGELA) July 28, 2020

Sarah Paulson, on behalf of Holland Taylor

Sarah Paulson didn't pass up the opportunity to gush about her longtime partner, Holland Taylor, who was nominated for "Hollywood."

"@hollandvtaylor you are the best of the best, in every and all ways," she wrote. "I am over the moon for you. Congratulations my love."

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This makes me happier than it should- because I know where all this awards business should live. Inside every performer/creative person, the pursuit of truth in their work is all that truly matters- that and the glorious time spent with your crew, your merry band of brothers and sisters dedicated to bringing a story to life- that, THAT IS THE REWARD. But sometimes... SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO SHOUT FROM THE ROOFTOPS IN CELEBRATION... sometimes you just can’t contain your joy, and I’m not gonna. @hollandvtaylor you are the best of the best, in every and all ways. I am over the moon for you. Congratulations my love.

A post shared by Sarah Paulson (@mssarahcatharinepaulson) on

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes said she was "over the moon" to be nominated for playing her hero, legendary Black comedian Moms Mabley, on "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."

I am over the moon! Thank you! Thank you Amy and Dan Palladino, and @RachelBros! Can’t believe I got to play Moms Mabley! She’s the reason why I’m a comic. If there wasn’t a “Moms,” I’d probably be Biden’s VP. Lucky us!🙌🏾🥂❤️ https://t.co/RRVUj2tNcC

— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) July 28, 2020

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate tweeted that she was "so proud" of her "Dead to Me" family for all their nominations, which includes one for co-star Linda Cardellini as well.

I’m so proud of my wonderful friends @lindacardellini and @thelizfeldman and the entire cast and crew of @deadtome These are strange times. Sad times. But it’s nice to have some good news. Much love

— christina applegate (@1capplegate) July 28, 2020

Marc Maron, on behalf of Lynn Shelton

Marc Maron's late partner, Lynn Shelton, was posthumously nominated for an Emmy for "Little Fires Everywhere," of which she directed multiple episodes. Shelton died in May at the age of 54. Maron tweeted that she "would be thrilled" to be included in this list of nominees.

I know for a FACT Lynn Shelton would be thrilled with her Emmy nomination for directing for LFE! Deserved. She was the real deal. Miss her. A lot. #RIP

— marc maron (@marcmaron) July 28, 2020

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh didn't just focus on her own nomination; she also called out each nomination "Killing Eve" received this year.

Congratulations @KillingEve 8 Emmy Nominations! Darling Jodie & Fiona! Casting, Production Design, Music Supervision, Costumes the whole damn Show!! Amazing KE S3 team thank you! pic.twitter.com/Rbnjoa9tGX

— Sandra Oh (@IamSandraOh) July 28, 2020

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett said she is "feeling ALLL the love this morning full of love & thanks" for her two Emmy nominations. "God has blessed me REAL good!" the actress wrote.

Hey Everybody you good? Whew! I'm feeling ALLL the love this morning full of love & thanks for not one, but TWO Emmy noms! God has blessed me REAL good! #ABlackLadySketchShow #ImagineeringStory #Emmys2020 pic.twitter.com/47oLRQJd7n

— Angela Bassett (@ImAngelaBassett) July 28, 2020

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal said he wouldn't be nominated if it wasn't for his "Normal People" co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones, who didn't score a nomination like him.

"This only exists because of you and your extraordinary talent it’s as simple as that," he tweeted.

My actual face right now! Thank you to absolutely everyone at @ElementPictures,@hulu and @bbcthree! @lennyabrahamson I will never be able to thank you enough ❤️! @DaisyEdgarJones this only exists because of you and your extraordinary talent it’s as simple as that! Thank you all x pic.twitter.com/s3t6hqr0SW

— Paul Mescal (@mescal_paul) July 28, 2020

Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope, star of "Hollywood," said he is "proud to see so many Black artists nominated this year."

"It gives me hope that systemic change in our entertainment industry is not only possible, it’s imminent," he added. "Today was a reminder that seeing is believing and everything is possible."

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Thank you to the Television Academy, my entire HOLLYWOOD family, and to Ryan Murphy for giving me my television debut. My heart is full. ⁣ ⁣ I'm proud to see so many Black artists nominated this year. It gives me hope that systemic change in our entertainment industry is not only possible, it’s imminent. ⁣ ⁣ As an artist, it takes a lot of faith to trust that there is space for the stories I want to tell and that the dreams in my heart are tangible.⁣ ⁣ Today was a reminder that seeing is believing and everything is possible.

A post shared by POPE (@jeremypope) on

Jennifer Aniston

"The Morning Show" star Jennifer Aniston, who was nominated in the best actress in a drama series category, gushed that she is "so proud of my @themorningshow family." "This team worked so, so hard to make the best show we possibly could, and I am truly honored to be a part of it. Thanks for this acknowledgment and congratulations to EVERYONE," she added. "Now, I’m just gonna have to figure out what MASK I’M GONNA WEAR!!"

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What a morning waking up to this news! I am so proud of my @themorningshow family. This team worked so, so hard to make the best show we possibly could, and I am truly honored to be a part of it. Thanks for this acknowledgment and congratulations to EVERYONE 👏🏼 🥳⠀ ⠀ Now, I’m just gonna have to figure out what MASK I’M GONNA WEAR 😷🤔💃🏼!!

A post shared by Jennifer Aniston (@jenniferaniston) on